2 more typhoons seen to hit Central Visayas

After tropical depression Ambo struck Central Visayas two weeks ago, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration anticipates one to two more typhoons to hit the region.

In the regular video conferencing of the Department of Science and Technology, Pagasa director Prisco Nilo said that at least two more tropical depressions will hit Central Visayas as the southwest monsoon comes by June to August.

Nilo explained that Central Visayas is normally visited by two typhoons that will directly cross the landmass of the Visayas islands. However, due to the mounting threats of climate change brought about by global warming, more typhoons are expected to enter the Philippine area of responsibility. Thus from the normal one to two, it is expected that more tropical storms will hit Region-7.

He continued that an estimated 29 typhoons would enter the Philippine area of responsibility; 14-16 of which will hit the country at the height of the southwest monsoon or wet season.

In the regular weather pattern Pagasa follows, last year was a not-active-typhoon season and so they predict that this year will be an active one.

Normal hazards which result from typhoons, like flashfloods, are also expected to occur, Nilo said. He however assures that the Pagasa national unit will continue to coordinate with the local units and Provincial Disaster Coordinating Councils to monitor and prevent disasters should typhoons enter the country.

Meanwhile, Phivolcs director Rene Solidum has also announced that they already put up more global positioning satellites (GPS) all over the country.

GPS is a device that helps in monitoring volcanic activities resulting to earthquakes and tsunamis.

Solidum said that there are already 16 GPS distributed to different parts of the country, including areas in the Visayas.

He also said that they continue monitoring active volcanoes situated in the Visayas like Mt. Kanlaon, and another in Northern Mindanao – Mt. Hibok-Hibok in Camiguin. He said that Phivolcs has already created community-based hazard mapping to detect threats of volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and tsunamis all over the country

Solidum further assured that the worsening global warming has nothing to do with volcanic eruptions.

There have been 213 recorded earthquakes last year and as of yesterday, Phivolcs recorded 70 earthquakes to have hit the country this year. — Anthony S. Teo/MEEV